Memorial Day Travel Surge: 5.6 Million Expected to Gridlock Tri-State Airports, Bridges, and Tunnels
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, The unofficial start of summer is here, and it is bringing a historic travel rush to the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced that a staggering 5.6 million travelers are expected to flood regional airports, bridges, and tunnels during the five-day peak Memorial Day holiday travel period spanning from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25, 2026.
With air traffic projected to break all-time records and roads hitting maximum capacity, the agency is taking drastic measures—including suspending non-emergency construction—to keep the region moving.
Whether you are catching a flight out of JFK or driving across the George Washington Bridge, here is your essential survival guide for the holiday weekend.
🛫 Air Travel: Over 2.1 Million Passengers to Break Records
The Port Authority anticipates a record-shattering 2.1 million passengers will pass through John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), and New York-Stewart International airports between Thursday and Monday.
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Busiest Travel Days: Friday, May 22, and Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.
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The JFK Construction Factor: Due to massive, ongoing redevelopment construction at JFK, travelers are strongly urged to use mass transit (Subway, AirTrain, Bus, or LIRR) or utilize the designated remote drop-off/pickup lots at the Lefferts Blvd or Howard Beach stations to avoid gridlocked terminal roads.
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AirTrain Newark Update: AirTrain Newark will remain fully operational to and from the Airport Train Station on Memorial Day to streamline transit connections.
⏰ Official Port Authority Arrival Guidelines:
Domestic Flights: Arrive at least two hours prior to departure.
International Flights: Arrive at least three hours prior to departure.
Pro-Tip: Check the newly redesigned Port Authority airport websites before leaving home to track real-time security wait times, parking availability, and flight statuses.
đźš— On the Roads: 3.5 Million Vehicles Expected (Construction Halted)
An estimated 3.5 million vehicles will cross Port Authority bridges and tunnels over the five-day weekend.
To prevent catastrophic traffic jams, the agency is suspending all non-emergency repairs and lane construction at all vehicular crossings during the peak getaway window:
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Construction Pause Starts: Friday, May 22, at 5:00 AM
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Construction Resumes: Tuesday, May 26, at 5:00 AM
Despite the construction freeze, drivers should still budget significant extra travel time for heavy congestion at major bottlenecks like the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, and GWB.
🊰 PATH Train Memorial Day Schedule
For those utilizing rapid transit between New York and New Jersey, note that PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Plan your platform wait times accordingly, as trains will run less frequently than on a standard weekday.
Whenever possible, the absolute best defense against the holiday rush this weekend is opting for public transit. Stay patient, check your digital timetables early, and give yourself a wide time buffer to ensure a smooth holiday weekend!
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